20 of the Best Walks in the Lake District

Posted 1st December 2015 by Louise Whittland

In a recent blog post, ‘Top 5 places to visit in Ullswater’, as we wrote up the wonderful walk from Howtown to Glenridding, we got to talking about some of the very best rambles in our beloved landscape, the Lake District.

Here are 20 of the best walks that we at Lakelovers and you, our superb Facebook fans, have compiled. Have we missed a gem? Please add in the comments below. Finding a favourite walk and returning throughout the seasons – as children grow, with different friends – the experience changes. But the memories of this wonderful landscape stay the same. We hope this list evokes fond memories of walking in the Lake District. For anyone planning a trip to this special part of the UK choose from any of these walks and you will be in for a treat!

Howtown to Glenridding along southern stretch of Ullswater
Photographer: Stewart Smith
Around Loughrigg, taking in Lily Tarn, Loughrigg Terrace, Rydal Water and the stepping stones on the way back to Ambleside, thanks Roger Green‪
‪Footpath behind Shepherds Crag farm to Watendlath & back by Ashness bridge, thanks Dave Fenn
Up Sour Milk Ghyll, Green Gable, Great Gable ( views from the top fantastic!) then back down via Honister slate mine, stopping for a cuppa and look round, of course. This picture taken at the top, thanks Linda Phoenix ‪
‪White Moss with Tweedie’s bar half way round, thanks Jan Brown
‪The Fairfield horseshoe is one of mine, thanks Margaret Ross
‪Alcock Tarn. Stunning views, thanks Samantha Woollet
Difficult choice – Place fell from martindale side and back via Howtown – Glaramara – Sheffield Pike – I could go on and on! Thanks Lynn Vitta
‪The walk around Buttermere is one of my top favourites! Thanks Graham Wilkinson from Lakelovers
‪Tarn How’s, thanks Toni Hatton
‪Coniston Old Man, thanks Gavin Taylor
My sons favourite is Wansfell Pike as it was his first Lakeland walk when he was 4, he likes to walk it whenever we return. This year he walked up Scafell Pike for the first time, he’s now 9 and we all love the Lake District, thanks Melanie Hill
‪I am not able to walk very well but on a good day I love walking along Cuckoo Brow and up to Moss Eccles Tarn, thanks Penny Dewey
‪Ashness bridge to Wattenlath, taking in ‘surprise view’ looking over Derwent, thanks Paul Wilson
‪Coffin Route, Rydal to Grasmere, taking in Rydal Hall and Dove Cottage! Thanks Emma Child
‪Love Ullswater, my favourite Lake District spot, thanks Maria Mernin
Gentle circular walk from Elterwater to Chapel Stile and back. Or a nice family walk, buggy-friendly, is from Elterwater to Chesters By The River at Skelwith Bridge, where you can enjoy homemade lunch, thanks from the Lakelovers Chairman !
Easedale Tarn, thanks Julia Nock
Ferry to Aira Force pier then Gowbarrow Fell circular – for best full length view of Ullswater route and the bonus of Aira Force and tea room option, Lakelovers
Ambleside to Grasmere via Loughrigg Summit (not via the terrace route) – the lakes in a nutshell, Lakelovers